Gerbera Plant Named &#39;UFGE 4141&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  Gerbera  plant particularly distinguished by having a novel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double orange-red flower color, a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter) containers, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Gerbera hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘UFGE 4141’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Gerbera plantnamed ‘UFGE 4141’. ‘UFGE 4141’ originated from cross made between ‘UFGE5-23’ (unpatented) and ‘UFGE 4-8’ (unpatented), during 2003 atBradenton, Fla. ‘UFGE 4141’ was selected by the inventors from theprogeny of the stated parentage in summer 2004 at Bradenton, Fla. Thefirst asexual reproduction of ‘UFGE 4141’ was accomplished when crowndivision was done in fall 2004 in Bradenton, Fla. Plants of ‘UFGE 4141’have been asexually propagated by crown division and/or tissue culturefor more than four generations. Asexually propagated plants of ‘UFGE4141’ have remained true to the original selected plant, and allcharacteristics of the plant have been transmitted and retained throughfour successive asexual vegetative generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for.‘UFGE 4141’ has not been made publicly available more than one yearprior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct variety of Gerbera plant is characterized by anovel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double orange-redflowers, a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, anddemonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm indiameter) containers. ‘UFGE 4141’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. Its phenotype may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as light intensity, temperature, andday length. The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown in Wimauma, Fla. undernormal horticultural practices in greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

1. Peduncle length of approximately 47 cm;

2. Semi-double flower type;

3. Orange-red (RHS 33B) ray florets;

4. Yellow-green (RHS 150B) color discs before opening of disc florets;

5. Orange-red (RHS 33A) perianth lobe of disc florets;

6. Flower head diameter of approximately 120 mm; and

7. Moderate resistance to powdery mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Gerbera plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant's form, flower head, and foliage. The colors shownare as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photographs are of a plant approximately 5 months oldwhich was produced from one tissue culture liner and is potted in a2.7-L container. FIG. 3 is of a leaf removed from the same 5 month oldplant.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit including flowers and foliage andis taken from a side perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the flower head.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of a typical leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘UFGE 4141’. The present botanical description isthat of the variety at approximately 5 months old on Oct. 20, 2009 at3:30 p.m. in a room under north light in Wimauma, Fla. The colors(except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chartpublished by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (1986 ed.), inassociation with the Flower Council of Holland.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Gerbera hybrida cv. ‘UFGE 4141’.        -   Common name.—Gerbera.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—‘UFGE 5-23’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—‘UFGE 4-8’ (unpatented).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flower head.—Type: Semi-double Diameter: Large, approx. 120            mm Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters):            Bright orange-red (RHS 33B) Shape: Incurving funnel-shaped.        -   Involucre.—Height from point of attachment of involucre to            top of flower head: Short, approx. 17 mm Diameter: Small to            medium, approx. 43 mm Number of bracts: Medium, approx. 68            Color: Green (RHS 138A) Longitudinal axis of inner rows:            Straight Anthocyanin: Absent Pubescence: Very dense.        -   Inner ray florets.—Number: Medium, approx. 55 Shape: Narrow            elliptic Longitudinal axis of outer row: Moderately            incurving Longitudinal axis of inner row: Straight.        -   Outer ray floret.—Cross section: Convex Length: Medium,            approx. 56 mm Width: Medium, approx. 7 mm Shape of apex:            Pointed Depth of incision: Shallow Color (topside):            Orange-red (RHS 33B) Color (bottom side): Orange (RHS 25C)            Color distribution on inner side: Uniform Edge of different            color: None Striation: Absent.        -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: Medium, approx. 28 mm.        -   Reproductive organs.—Style (main color of distal part):            Orange (RHS 26B) Stigma (main color): Yellow (RHS 12B)            Anthers (main color): Yellow-orange (RHS 17C) Color of top            relative to other parts: Same Longitudinal stripes: Absent.        -   Pappus.—Main color: Yellow-white (RHS 158D) Color of top            relative to other parts: Same Level of top relative to            closed disc florets: Above, 1-2 mm in center.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, approx. 47 cm Tendency to            fasciation: Absent Thickness: Medium, approx. 6.5 mm            Strength: Strong Pubescence: Dense Color: Yellow-green (RHS            144B) Anthocyanin coloration: At base: Very weak At top:            Absent Involucral bracts: Absent.-   Plant:    -   -   General appearance.—Height: Approx. 52 cm, excluding any            flowers Width: Approx. 65 cm.        -   Foliage.—Leaf blade: Length: Long, approx. 26 cm Width:            Medium, approx. 12 cm Thickness: Medium Blistering: Weak            Pubescence (On upper side, midrib excluded): Sparse Depth of            incisions in leaf: Basal part: Medium Central part: Shallow            Distal part: Shallow Color: Upper side: Yellow-green (RHS            146A) Bottom side: Yellow-green (RHS 146B) Glossiness on            upper side: Medium Shape of apex: Rounded Petiole: Petiole            length: Medium, approx. 14 cm Color of petiole: Yellow-green            (RHS 144B) Petiole anthocyanin coloration: Very weak.-   Resistance to diseases: ‘UFGE 4141’ has been observed in multiple    experiments in which it was compared with two common commercial    cultivars, ‘Pensacola’ gerbera (unpatented) and ‘Bimini’ gerbera    (unpatented), for the incidence and severity of powdery mildew,    Podosphaera (syn. Sphaerotheca) fusca (Fr.) S. Blumer. ‘UFGE 4141’    has consistently been found to have a moderate level of resistance    to powdery mildew. In two experiments conducted in 2008 and 2009 in    Wimauma, Fla., tissue culture liners of ‘UFGE 4141’, ‘Bimini’, and    ‘Pensacola’ were transplanted on into 2.7-L containers filled with    commercial potting mix amended with controlled release fertilizer at    the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer at the rate of    1.05 kg·m⁻³. Plants were grown under a plastic tunnel within a    screen house with approximately 45% light exclusion. Fungicides were    not applied throughout the experiments to subject the plants to    natural powdery mildew disease pressures. In the first of the two    powdery mildew experiments (Experiment 1), the severity of powdery    mildew on gerbera leaves was assessed at week 8 after transplanting    (Feb. 9, 2009), week 10 after transplanting (Feb. 18, 2009), week 12    after transplanting (Mar. 4, 2009), and week 14 after transplanting    (Mar. 18, 2009). In the second of the two powdery mildew experiments    (Experiment 2), the severity of powdery mildew was assessed at week    8 after transplanting (Oct. 15, 2009), week 10 after transplanting    (Oct. 29, 2009), and week 12 after transplanting (Nov. 12, 2009). A    randomized complete block design was used with five replications in    Experiment 1 and with eight replications in Experiment 2. The    experimental unit was a single containerized plant. ‘UFGE 4141’    showed a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew in both    Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 (Table 1). ‘UFGE 4141’ remained to be    more productive than ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ when natural powdery    mildew disease pressure existed (Table 1). No other disease    resistance characterizations have been made.

TABLE 1 Powdery mildew severity ratings and flower counts of ‘UFGE 4141’and two commercial gerbera cultivars, ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’, grownunder natural powdery mildew pressure in two experimental trials inWimauma, FL. Experiment 1 (Winter 2008 through Spring 2009), Experiment2 (Summer 2009 through Fall 2009) PM Ratings^(Z) Flower Cultivars Week 8Week 10 Week 12 Week 14 counts^(Y) Experiment 1 (Winter 2008 throughSpring 2009) UFGE 4141 1.0 2.4 4.6 6.8 4.4 Bimini 1.2 1.8 5.4 8.0 3.2Pensacola 1.0 2.0 4.8 8.6 3.0 Experiment 2 (Summer 2009 through Fall2009) UFGE 4141 1.1 3.5 5.3 5.6 Bimini 2.6 8.6 9.4 2.6 Pensacola 1.8 7.59.8 1.1 ^(Z)Powdery mildew severity was rated on a scale of 1 to 10 asdescribed by Hausbeck et al. (2002): 1 = no disease, 2 = trace to 10%, 3= 10% to 20%, 4 = 20 to 30%, 5 = 30% to 40%, 6 = 40% to 50%, 7 = 50% to60%, 8 = 60% to 70%, 9 = 70% to 80%, and 10 = 80% to 100% of leafsurface covered with powdery mildew. ^(Y)Total number of flowersproduced per plant over nine weeks from Jan. 20, 2009 to Mar. 17, 2009in Experiment 1 or from Sep. 25, 2009 to Nov. 20, 2009 in Experiment 2,both in a screen house in Wimauma, FL.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND KNOWN CULTIVARS

‘UFGE 4141’ differs from the female parent ‘UFGE 5-23’ (unpatented) byhaving much shorter peducles, many more leaves, and denser foliage undergrowing conditions in Wimauma, Fla. than ‘UFGE 5-23’. ‘UFGE 4141’differs from the male parent ‘UFGE 4-8’ (unpatented) by having flowersthat are red-orange and much larger under growing conditions in Wimauma,Fla. than ‘UFGE 4-8’.

Comparisons were made with the commercial gerbera variety ‘Bimini’(unpatented) and the commercial gerbera variety ‘Pensacola’(unpatented). Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at Wimauma,Fla. under standard greenhouse management practices to evaluate theplant performance (days to flower, flower quality, flower count, andplant quality) of ‘UFGE 4141’ for container plant production incomparison to ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’. In the first of the two plantperformance experiments (Experiment 3), tissue culture liners weretransplanted on Dec. 9, 2008 into 2.7-L containers filled withcommercial potting mix amended with controlled release fertilizer at therate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer at the rate of 1.05kg·m⁻³. Potted plants were grown on metal benches in a glass house andspaced 46 cm×46 cm apart. Temperatures inside the greenhouse ranged from18° C. to 33° C. Two hours of additional photoperiodic lighting wereprovided between Dec. 9, 2008 and Mar. 17, 2009. Fungicides andinsecticides were applied as needed to control powdery mildew andwestern flower thrips. Flower quality was rated on a 1 to 5 scale:1=very poor, 3=fair, some blemishes, but acceptable, and 5=excellent,bright, uniform, and no blemishes. Flower counts were recorded weeklyfrom Jan. 20, 2009 through Mar. 17, 2009. Plant quality was rated threetimes, on Jan. 20, 2009, Feb. 3, 2009, and Feb. 17, 2009, using a 1 to 5scale: 1=few leaves or long petioles, container surface visible, verypoor and unacceptable as flowering pot plants, 3=fair and marketable,and 5=excellent, full, symmetrical, attractive plants.

In the second of the two plant performance experiments (Experiment 4),tissue culture liners were transplanted on Aug. 13, 2009 into 2.7-Lplastic containers filled with commercial potting mix amended withcontrolled release fertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and traceelement fertilizer at the rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻³. Plants were grown onmetal benches in a greenhouse with a spacing of 46 cm×46 cm. Thegreenhouse was covered with aluminum shading cloth with approximately30% light exclusion. Greenhouse temperatures ranged from 21° C. to 35°C. Two hours of additional photoperiodic lighting was provided beginningSep. 15, 2009. Fungicides and insecticides were applied as needed tocontrol powdery mildew and western flower thrips. Flower quality andplant quality were rated as above for Experiment 3, but on Sep. 25,2009, Oct. 15, 2009, and Nov. 5, 2009. The number of flowers producedper plant was recorded weekly from Sep. 25, 2009 through Nov. 20, 2009.

The experiment design for the plant performance experiments was arandomized complete block design with five replications in Experiment 3and eight replications in Experiment 4. The experimental unit was asingle containerized plant.

‘UFGE 4141’ came into flowering 26 to 31 days earlier than ‘Bimini’ and‘Pensacola’ in Experiment 3 and 5 to 10 days earlier than ‘Bimini’ and‘Pensacola’ in Experiment 4 (Table 2). Flower quality ratings of ‘UFGE4141’ were 3.8 to 4.2, similar to that of ‘Pensacola’, but it was lowerthan that of ‘Bimini’ (Table 2). In both Experiment 3 and Experiment 4,‘UFGE 4141’ produced more flowers (87% to 144% more than ‘Bimini’ and300% more than ‘Pensacola’) (Table 2). The plant quality rating of ‘UFGE4141’ was 3.7 and 4.4 in Experiment 3 and Experiment 4, respectively,higher than that of the controls (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Plant performance of ‘UFGE 4141’ and two commercial cultivars,‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ grown in Experiment 3 (Winter 2008 throughSpring 2009) and Experiment 4 (Summer 2009 through Fall 2009) inWimauma, Florida. Days to 1st open Flower Flower counts^(Z) PlantCultivars flowers (no.) quality^(Z) (no.) quality^(Y) Experiment 3 (Dec.9, 2008 to Mar. 17, 2009) UFGE 4141 37.8 3.8  5.6 3.7 Bimini 64.0 5.0 3.0 3.1 Pensacola 68.8 4.1  1.4 3.3 Experiment 4 (Aug. 13, 2009 to Nov.20, 2009) UFGE 4141 44.6 4.2 11.9 4.4 Bimini 50.1 4.8  5.5 3.2 Pensacola55.8 4.3  2.5 3.3 ^(Z)Flower count data were collected over nine weeksfrom Jan. 20, 2009 to Mar. 17, 2009 in Experiment 3 and another nineweeks from Sep. 25, 2009 to Nov. 20, 2009 in Experiment 4. Each valuerepresents the mean of five (Experiment 3) or eight (Experiment 4)replicates. ^(Y)The plant quality rating value in Experiment 3 was themean of five replicates over three times (Jan. 20, Feb. 3, and Feb. 17,2009), and the plant quality rating value in Experiment 4 was the meanof eight replicates over three times (Sep. 25, Oct. 15, and Nov. 5,2009).

Literature Cited

Hausbeck, M. K., W. R. Quackenbush, and S. D. Linderman. 2002.Evaluation of cultivars of African daisy for resistance to powderymildew, 2002. B&C Tests 18:O0004.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named ‘UFGE 4141’, asillustrated and described herein.